Carpet-stretcher.



No. 630,079. Patented Aug. I, I899. E. L. SCRIBNER.

CARPET STRETCHER.

(Application filed Nov. 22, 1898.)

(No Model.)

amvwu UNrTnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELBRIDGE LLEWELLYN SORIBNER, OF AMESBURY, MASSACHUSETTS.

CARPET-STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 630,079, dated August 1, 1899.

Application filed November 22, 1898. Serial No. 697,186. N model-l To 60% whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELBRID on LLEWELLYN SCRIBNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Amesbury, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Carpet-Stretchers and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The invention has relation to carpet-stretchers, and the object is to provide a simple, durable, and inexpensive device of this character by means of which the carpet may be effectually stretched and held stretched while the tacks are being driven, thus allowing the operator free use of both hands for that purpose.

With this object in view the invention consists in certain features of construction and combination of parts, which will be hereinafter fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved carpetstretcher. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through a portion of the rack-bar and the lower bifurcated end of the operating-lever, and Fig. 3 is a view of one of the carpet engaging prongs.

In the drawings, 1 denotes the rack-bar, having upon its opposite sides teeth a and 6, formed with inclined rear sides and straight vertical front sides.

2 and 3 denote blocks, the under sides of which are provided with prongs for engaging the carpet on the surface. These prongs are of the form shown in Fig. 3 and are secured to strips of leather, which in turn are secured to the under sides of the blocks, so that if the prongs become worn or damaged the strips of leather may be removed from the blocks and replaced by new strips. These blocks are provided with bearings 4, through which the rack-bar is adapted to pass.

5 denotes a link extending across the lower bifurcated end of the operating-lever 6, provided with hooked ends 7 to engage eyes 8, secured to the forward block 2. It will be noticed that this link passes under the rackbar and has its cross-piece engaging the rackteeth on the under side of said bar.

9 denotes links pivoted to the lowerend of the bifurcated lever at a point above the rackbar. The rear ends of these links are con nected to eyes 10 in the rear block 3.

It will be noticed that the bail 5 and the cross-pin 7 of the bifurcated operating-lever 6 engage the rack-bar 1 above and below, thereby constituting the shortest leverage obtainable. The forward end of the rack-bar is provided with prongs 11, which are adapted to be driven into the floor.

In operation the prongs 11 are driven into the floor near the wall. The blocks, with their prongs, are then engaged with the carpet on the surface near the wall and near the middle of the carpet, respectively, and by rocking the lever back and forth the blocks are allowed to draw the carpet toward the prongs, thereby stretching the carpet one-half at a time alternately. When pressureis removed from the operating-lever, it will be noticed that the carpet will be securely held in its stretched position by the rack-teeth engaging either the link 5 or the cross-pin 7 of the opcrating-lever. 7

Although I have specifically described the construction and relative arrangement of the several elements of my invention, I do not desire to be confined to the same, as such changes or modifications may be made as clearly fall within the scope of the invention without departing from the spirit thereof.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and useful, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, 1s

In a carpet-stretcher, the combination with a rack-bar having teeth arranged alternately upon its opposite sides and provided with a prong near its forward end, blocks having prongs to engage the carpet, an operating-1e verhaving a bifurcated lower end which straddles the rack-bar, links connecting one of the blocks with the bifurcated lever at a point below the rack-bar and provided with a crosspiece-adapted to engage the teeth on the lower side of the rack-Bar,- and links connected to my hand in presence of two suhscrihing wit the lever above the rack-bar and to the other nesses. 7 block, and a cross-pin extending through the T bifurcated end of the lever at a point above DLBRIDGD LLUDLHN SUMMER" 5 the upper rack teeth, substantially as set VVi-tnesses:

forth. HORACE W. PRAG,

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set ANNIE M. WALLACE.- 

